Method and apparatus for forming sheet glass



Nov. 20, 1928.

1,692,702 4 J. A REECE METHOD AND-APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET GLASS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 19, 1926 T1 EL.

gvvuemtoc f dose 0h FL F eece.

Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,702

. J. A. REECE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET GLASS Filed April 19, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Joseph H. Pecegraham tox- Patented Nov. 2e, ieaa irsnsrATssPA s wearer JOSEPH BEECH, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LIBBEY-OWENS SHEET'GLASS COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

METHOD AND ArrAnArus non FORMING SHEET amiss.

Application filed Apri1'19, 1926. Serial Nb 102, 843.

The present invention relates to improvements in the art of forming a. continuous ribbon of glass from a inass'of molten glass contained 111 a receptacle.

5 Anobject of the invention is provide a receptacle containing. molten glass with means whereby a sub-surface strata of molten glass contained therein may discharge from the receptacle, and to further provide means for forming a continuous ribbon of glass from the molten glass'dischargingfrom the receptacle. I g

Another object of the invention: is" to pro vide means for continuously feeding under pressure a supply of remote sub-surface molten glass, contained in a receptacle, to a pair of rotatable rolls adapted to receive said molten glass under pressure, and form it into a continuous ribbon of glass.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inwardly extending wall, of a receptacle containing molten glass, with means .whereby a continuous supply of molten glass may issue therefrom under the head pressure of the molten glass contained therein, and to further provide said wall with means where by the issuing molten glass will be" shielded from the coacting peripheries of a .pair of sheet forming rolls, adapted .to receive said molten glass, prior to the formation thereof into sheet form.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

-In the drawings wherein like numerals are em loyed to. designate like parts throughout thesame, Fig. l is a'longitudinal section throughthe improved sheet glass forming apparatus,

Fig. 2 is a partial transverse vertical section taken substantially on line 22 in Fig. 1, and

f Figs. 8, and 5 are modified forms of the invention. v q A's it is the principalobject of the present invention to provide a receptacle containing molten glass with means permitting only the remote sub-surface glass contained therein to be used for rolling outa continuous sheet or ribbon of glass, it may be well at this time to describe what is meant by remote sub-surface glass. Remote sub-surface glass, in accordance with the present invention, pertains corrosive material. In order to overcome the to the molten glass lying below the level of a mass of contained molten, glass, and more particularly to that section of molten lass whose temperature is substantiallyuni orm throughout, which is substantially free from all imperfections and impurities. and which is at such "a distance from all exposed sides '60 of the molten'glass container to: prevent its uniform temperature condition from becomlng materially affected by the fluctuating temperaturesnormally prevailing at the side walls of a molten glass container. It-is there fore obvious that remote sub-surface molten glass will be of a very high grade, and consequently the quality of the continuous sheet 5 or ribbon of glass rolled therefrom should be much better than the ordinary rolled glass.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 8 refers to a tank furnace or receptacle containing a mass of molten glass 9. Associated with a wall 10 of the tank furnace is an inwardly and rearwardly ex tending member or projection 11, having an' "erably lined with a liner 13 of-graphite' clay,

nichrome, Monel metal, or other similar nontendency of dog metal forming upon'the s5 projection ll or in the outlet 12, electric resistors 14, or some other form of heating means, may be employed to control the temperature of the molten glass contacting therewith. The'wall is also provided with an indentation l5 s vmmetrically arranged about theout-letl2. Disposed within the indentation and in close proximity to and in front of the outlet is a pair of vertically stacked rotatable members or rolls 16, adapted to receive between their coacting surfaces the molten glass 17 issuing through said outlet'.' The pair of rolls are supported in front of and transversely across the outlet 12 in bearings suitablv mounted in a supporting bracket 18 arranged at both sides of the receptacle. The vupper roll of the pair of rolls 16 is mounted in the bracket. 18 insuch a manner to permit it to be raised or lowered by a screw and nut arrangement 20 shown in Fig. 2, which thereby controls the vertical distance between thefpair of rolls. The rolls 1 are driven tcgether and in opposite directions,

preferably mannershovvn in Fig. .2 of the drawingm'by the gears 21 and by connecting one of the rolls to some convenient form of drive 22. The temperature of-said pair of rolls may'belcontrolled byv'sultably circulatinga cooling mediuintherethrough.

When the rolls are arranged in spaced relationship with each other,' there is, formed between them, in horizontal alignment with the outlet 12, a horizontalslot or opening 23 into Which the molten glass 17 in the outlet 12 is forced under head pressure of the molten glass in the receptacle, and as the .pair of, rolls 16 rotate, there issues horizontally from .Jinvvardly and rearwardly thereof, said wall the slot 23 a continuous ribbon of glassQi. The arrangement of the projection 11, the

v outlet 12, and. the indentation 15, is particuall larly Well adapted for-reducing to a minimum the peripheral contact of thecoacting pair of,

rolls 16 with the molten glass as it issues from the outlet 12, from which the glass sheet 2d is later formed. The ribbon iscausedto attain a semi-rigid state yvhile passing through the open space 25, from which it is conveyed toa chamber 26 'Where it is permitted to be come permanently set upon a plurality of closely .spaced'positively"driven rolls 27 betinuous sheet of glass, a tank" containing a fore enterin the annealing leer 28.

The modi cation. illustrated in Fig. 3 shows the improved device positioned at a some- .What greater distance below the level of the molten glass in the receptacle 8 than is covered by the main embodiment of the invention. 'Ihe-continuous ribbon of glass 24, after being formed between the pair of rolls 16, is permitted to droop down over the lower roll 29, Which functions to provide slack in the continuous ribbon of glass,as there may be some tendency upon the part of the positive-e ly driven rolls 27 to dra n the ribbon taut from the pair of rolls 16, and thus create a tension therein.

.7 The modification illustrated in Fig. l shows a manner in which the improved de vice may be applied to the bottom of areceptacle containing'molten glass.

The modification illustrated in' Fig. 5 shows a manner in which the remote subsurface molten glass contained in a receptacle may be drawn therefrom by employing the use of the improved construction.

In this case the molten glass 17 is drawn through the outlet 12 by the pair of forming rolls 16' faster than the head pressure of the molten glass behind it can force it therethrough, and thus form the continuous ribbon of glass 24'. It may require a greater cooling than. that created by the openspace 25. to cause the sheet to attain a semirrigid state. Ifso, ad-

ditional cooling may be created by heat absorbing members 30 and 31. I i

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as'the preferred embodiment of the same, and that var ous changes 1n the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention bathe scope of the subjoined claims. i a

1, Claims:

1. In an apparatus for producing a continuous ribbon of glass, means containing a mass of molten glass, and a sheet glass rolling means extending inwardly of one end thereof to a point partially beyond the adjacent end of the mass of molten glass. 7 a

1 2. In an apparatus for producing acontinuous sheet of glass, atank for containing a ni'assof molten glass, anend Wall extending rolling means associated With the orifice;

\ 3. 1n an apparatus for producing a continuoussheet otglass, a tank containing a mass of molten glass, an end Wall of said tank-haw, ing a slotted depression therein projecting rearwardly Within the molten glass, and. means associated therewith forcontinuously forming a sheet of glass from the molten glass permitted to issue from the slot in said depression.

' ii. In an apparatus for producing a con? mass oi: molten glass, a mouthpiece associated with the forward end of said tank and promoting rearvvardly therewithin for per- .mitting a discharge of molten glass therefrom, and a plurality of rotatable members arranged Within said mouthpiece for reducing the discharging molten glassto sheet form. x v

5. In an apparatus for producing a con-- tinuous sheet of glass, means containing a Ion mass of molten glass, an inwardly projecting means associated with said means, permitting a discharge of molten glass there from, and means for rolling the discharging molten glass to sheet form.

6. In anapparatus for producing a con tiuuous sheet of glass, a tank containin a mass of molten glass, an inwardly extending mouthpiece associated with a. wall of said" tank, means Within said mouthpiecepermitting molten glass to discharge therefrom, and means arranged in closeproximity to said means 'for rolling the {discharging molten glass tosheet form. i

7. In an apparatus for producing a continuous'ribbon of glass a tank containing a mass of molten glass, a Wall: thereof projecting Within one end of themolten glass and extending rearwardly of the tank, said wall having an opening therein throughwhich molten glass may flow under pressure, andmeans for heating said all and'outlet.

8. In an apparatus'for producing a continuous ribbon of glass, means containing a mass of molten glass, a mouthpiece project.

ing within one end of the molten glass and extending rearwardly of the tank through .which the molten glass may be fed horizontally, and means for controlling the temperature of said mouthpiece.

9. In an apparatus for producing a continuous ribbon of glass, means containing a mass of molten glass, a heated mouthpiece projecting Within one end of the molten glass and extendingrearwardly of thetank, =adapted to permit molten glass to discharge therefrom, and means suitably arranged within said mouthpiece for controlling the 11. In combinatlon with a tank containing molten glass and a continuous sheet glass forming means, of means projecting rear- -wardly within said tank through which glass in the tank, adaptedto feed said molten molten glass may issue, said means also adapted to shield said issuing molten glass from contactingwith said sheet forming means prior to the sheet -formation. I

12. In combination with a tank containing molten glass, and a continuous sheet glass forming 'means, of a means projecting rear- Wardly within said tank having an opening therein, permitting a supply of molten glass under pressure to be fed continuously to said sheetforming means. 13. In combination with a tank containing molten glass and a continuous sheet glass rolling means, of means, helow the level of and projecting rearwardly within the molten glass to said sheet glass rolling means.

14. In combination with a tank containing molten glass and I a continuous sheet glass forming means, of a wall of said tank having I a sluice for the molten glass, said sluice ineluding a top portion and abottom portion projecting rearwardly within the tank.

15. In combination with a tank containing molten glass and a continuous sheet glass rolling device, of a sluice belowthe level of and extending rearwardly Within'the molten glass in said tank, and means for controlling the temperature of the molten glass adjacent and within said sluice.

16. In apparatus for producing a continuous ribbon of glass, a. tank containing a mass of molten glass, a portion of said tank having an indented outlet extending rearwardly within the tank and through which molten glass may continuously issue under pressure, and a pair of rotatable rolls adapted to continuously receive said molten, glass under pressure, and to form therefrom a continuous ribbon of glass.

In apparatus .for producing a continuous r bbon of glass, means containing a mass of molten glass, a portion of said means having an indentation extending 'rearwardly Within the tank and adapted to permit molten glass to continuously issue therefrom, and a pair of rotatable cooled rolls arranged withln said indentation adapted to -controlthe flow ofmolten glass issuing therefrom, said rolls also adapted to forma contlnuous ribbon of glass from the molten glass'permittcd to issue :trom the indentation.

the molten glass until said molten glass has nearly reached the common vertical plane formed between their coactlng peripheries.

19. In apparatus for producing a continuous ribbon of glass, including a pair'of cooled rotatable rolls, a tank containing a mass of molten glass, means projecting rearwardly within said tank, having an outlet communicating with said rolls, saidmeans also shielding the molten glass issuing from said outlet until itnearly reaches the common vertical plane through the centers of said rolls.

20. In apparatus for producing a continufrom contacting the peripheries of said rolls ous ribbon of glass, including a tank contain.-

ing molten glass, having an inwardly and rearwardly projecting outlet through which molten glass may be continuously discharged under pressure, and a pair of cooled rotatable sheet glass forming members arranged in close proximity to said outlet.

21. In apparatus for producing a continubus ribbon of glass, including a tank containing molten glass said tank'having an inwardly and rearwardly projecting outlet,

therein through which molten glass may be continuously discharged under head pressure,

a pair of cooled rotatable rolls forming a slot adapted to receive molten'glass discharging from the outlet, and meansassociated with 5 said outlet to limit the peripheral contact of said rolls with the molten glass as it passes from the outlet to said slot.

22. In apparatus for producing a. continuous ribbon of glass, including a tank containing molten glass, said tank having an inwardly and rearwardly projecting outlet therein through which molten glass may continuously discharge under head pressure, a pair of cooled rotatable rolls arranged in close proximity to said outlet to form a continuous sheet of glass from the molten glass discharging therefrompmeans associated with said outlet to limit the peripheral contact of said rolls With the molten glass'supplied to them, and means for controlling the temperature of said means. i 23. In apparatus for'producing a continu ous-ribbon of glass, including a receptacle containing molten glass, having an inwardly 1 and rearwardly projecting outlet throng which molten glass ma continuouslyissue under pressure, a suite le lagging covering the surface of the outlet, and a'sheet glass forming means arranged in close proximity to said outlet. 4 i

2-1. In apparatus i'orproducing a-continuous ribbon of glass, including a receptacle containing molten glass, having an inwardly and rearwardly projecting outlet through which molten glass may continuousgy issue under pressure, means "for forming a continuous, ribbon of glass from said molten glass, means associated with said outlet for shield ing the sheet forming means from the molten glass passing thereto from the receptacle, means for setting the ribbon of glass thus formed, and means for annealing said ribbon when formed.

25. In sheet glassapparatus, .a tank containing a mass of molten glass and having an end Wall, a member arranged within said Wall and projecting rearwardly within the tank' and having a slot therein beneath the level of said moltenglass for receivlng a stream of subsurface glass therefrom, and means adjacent the outer end of said slot for receiving the stream of glass and rolling it to sheet form. 1 p v 26. In sheet lass apparatus, a tankcontaining amass of molten glass and having an end wall, a member arranged within said wall and rojecting rearwardly Within the tank and iiavin'g aslot therein beneath the level of said molten glass for receiving a stream of sub-surface glass therefrom, means adjacent the outer end of said slot for receiv teearoa ing the stream of molten glass and rolling it i to sheet form, and means embedded Within said member for heating the stream of molten glass as it flows through said slot.

27. In sheet glass apparatus, a tank. containing a mass of molten glass and having an end walha member arranged Within said Walland havinga top portion and a bottom portion' rejecting rearwardly within the tank and orming a slot beneath the level of said molten glass for receiving a stream of subsurface glass therefrom, means adjacent the outer end of said slot for receiving the stream of molten glass and rolling it to sheet form, and a non-corrosive lining for the top and bottom portions of said member.

28. In sheet glass apparatus, a tank containlng a mass of-molten glass and having an end Wall, a member arranged within said Wall-and having a top portion and a bottom portion projecting rearwardly Within the tank forming asIOt-beneaththe level of said molten glass for receiving a stream of sub-surface glass therefrom, the outer face of said member being formed Within an indentation, and rolls arranged Within said indentation at opposite sidesof said slot for receiving the stream of molten glass and rolling it to Jo'snrn A. nnnon. 

